Thank you for choosing Raleigh Geriatrics PA for your primary care needs. We are honored to serve as your primary care practice and assist you in achieving optimal health.
Below are guidelines to help you achieve your optimum health goals. These recommendations are provided to help you choose healthy lifestyle habits and any necessary test that may help maximize your health.
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Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can lead to stroke, kidney and heart disease. Recommended BP for those age 65 years and older is less than 140/80.
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Diet: A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins will help prevent heart and other diseases and maintain a healthy weight. Daily sodium intake should be less than 1500 mg daily. Lean proteins and other foods low in saturated fats are good choices to help keep total cholesterol intake less than 300 mg per day. Exercise at least 3-5 times per week for 30 minutes or longer will help with weight reduction and heart health.
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BMI: or body mass index is an indicator of a person’s propensity for obesity. A BMI more than 30 is considered obese and 25-29 is considered overweight. Your BMI is noted on the front of this pamphlet.
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Diabetes: Diabetes is the body’s inability to use sugar properly and results in high levels of sugar or glucose in the blood. Diabetes is associated with heart, kidney and vascular disease. Screening is recommended for those with excessive thirst, hunger, or urination and those with risks factors for diabetes.
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Smoking: Smoking is associated with lung cancer and chronic lung disease. If you currently smoke talk to your doctor about quitting.
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Lung Cancer Screening: Lung cancer is the third most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. If you are between ages 55-77 and are either a current smoker or quit within the last 15 years or have a smoking history of at least 30 “packs years”. (An average of 1 pack a day for 30 years), talk to your doctor about screening.
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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: If you are male, age 65-75 and have ever smoked, an ultrasound to evaluate for an abdominal aortic aneurysm is indicated.
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Lipid Profile: High cholesterol is a risk factor for vascular disease. Your lipid panel will be checked once yearly or more frequently if needed to assure you do not have high cholesterol or are responding to treatment for high cholesterol.
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Colonoscopy: Colon cancer screening is recommended for those ages 50-75. A colonoscopy is a test that can help to diagnose colon cancer early.
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Mammography: Screening for breast cancer is recommended every 2 years in women ages
50-75.
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Osteoporosis: A bone density scan is recommended at age 65 and every 2 years afterwards to screen for osteoporosis, a condition that causes thinning of the bone.
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Immunizations: Help protect us from disease and keep us healthy. Recommended immunizations for all healthy adults.
Prevenar 13: Recommended pneumonia prevention. After the age of 65, 2 injections separated by one month.
Shingrix: Recommended to prevent shingles
TDAP: Recommended every 10 years to prevent tetanus.